Waterfalls cascade over verdant green rolling hills as a traveler stands in front, during the Wild Iceland Escape arctic cruise.

Glaumbær Farm In northern Iceland is now a museum, where visitors can tour beautifully-preserved turf houses.

Atlantic Puffins, Gromsey Island, Iceland.

Two travelers stand beside a geyser emitting steam with earthtone rock all around during the Wild Iceland Escape arctic cruise.

Sheets of crystal teal ice wash ashore to a black sand beach in Iceland seen aboard Wild Iceland Escape Arctic cruise.

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Arctic Edges: Iceland Westfjords to East Greenland

Photo by: Andrew Peacock

Photo by: Ralph Lee Hopkins

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Polar Regions Arctic Cruise

Arctic Edges: Iceland Westfjords to East Greenland

Discover why Iceland is known as the “land of fire and ice” on the compact Arctic Edges: Iceland Westfjords to East Greenland cruise. Sail into pristine corners of Iceland’s Westfjords region and Eastern Greenland, remote areas famed for their fascinating natural features and charismatic wildlife. On this 8-day adventure, actively explore these dynamic shores in a multitude of immersive ways, from hiking past cascading waterfalls to Zodiac cruising through rugged fjords or rafting on a glacial river. Search for whales and seals, walk among prolific sea bird colonies and experience enduring traditions on visits to tiny fishing villages steeped in history.

Discover the rich biodiversity of the remote Westfjords, spotting nesting puffins along the coast and watching for humpback and minke whales in the surrounding waters. Navigate the glacier-carved fjords of Greenland while keeping a watchful eye for whales, arctic fox or the more elusive beluga whales and narwhal.

Take a challenging hike on an island plateau or a thrilling whitewater rafting trip in Skagafjordur, known as the cradle of Icelandic horsemanship and for its stunning geologic formations. Kids and teens will delve deeper into the region’s natural wonders with National Geographic Explorers-in-Training, our exclusive hands-on family program.

Explore aboard the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer. This small expedition ship is technologically advanced, fully stabilized and equipped with a well-rounded set of exploration tools including an ROV and enough kayaks and Zodiacs to send all guests out exploring at the same time.

Read on for details about this trip, or learn more about AdventureSmith’s Arctic cruises and Iceland cruises.

Itinerary

Arctic Edges: Iceland Westfjords to East Greenland Itinerary

The 8-day Arctic Edges: Iceland Westfjords to East Greenland explores the remote Westfjords of Iceland, beginning in Reykjavik, sailing northbound to Djupavik, then sailing southbound to end in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Route map of small ship cruise arctic edges Iceland westfjords east greenland aboard national geographic explorer

Day 1

Arrive Reykjavík, Iceland & Embark

Arrive in Reykjavík, the world’s northernmost capital, which lies just below the Arctic Circle. Transfer from the airport to the city and spend the day exploring at your own pace. Check in with the hospitality desk this afternoon before embarking the ship.

Accommodations

National Geographic Explorer

Meals

dinner

Day 2

Djúpavík

Enjoy a leisurely morning at sea learning about Iceland and its incredible biodiversity. Join your expedition staff on the bow of the ship as you keep watch for the close to 20 different whale species that call the Westfjords home.

Spend the afternoon on the remote eastern side of the Westfjords, an area difficult to access but boasting spectacular beauty and rich history. The tiny town of Djúpavík held its place on the map because of the golden age of herring. During its heyday in the 1930s, its herring plant was the largest concrete structure in Iceland. The plant closed in 1954 but remains as a small museum and a memory of the rich productivity of the herring industry in Iceland. Visit the museum and learn about the significance of this resource to all of Iceland in the 20th century as well as choose from active options in the surrounding mountainsides.

Accommodations

National Geographic Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 3

Skagafjordur

Skagafjörður is the gateway to north Iceland, known for its glacial rivers, Icelandic horses and saga history. Take a float trip on the Jökulsá river or visit a historic rural turf farm to understand rural life in Iceland. Finally, learn about Grettir the Strong and the saga named after him by exploring Drangey Island and spotting the multitudes of birds that call the island home like kittiwakes, shearwaters, and possibly even ravens and gyrfalcons.

Accommodations

National Geographic Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 4 - 5

East Coast of Greenland

Strike out across the Denmark Strait to the wild shores of Eastern Greenland. Known for its volume of calving tidewater glaciers stretching back to the ice sheet, this region offers incredible opportunities to explore multiple fjords aboard ship as well as on landings, where hiking, kayaking or Zodiac cruising might all be possible. While you navigate these waters as a modern-day explorer, spend time on the Bridge or at the ship’s railing, scouring the landscape and waterline for the unique wildlife that call this region home. Look out for humpbacks, beluga whales and seals as well as the elusive narwhal and polar bear.

Accommodations

National Geographic Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Days 6 - 7

Westfjords of Iceland

Explore the beautiful and peaceful Westfjords region of Iceland. Enter Ísafjarðardjúp and land at Vigur Island to visit an eider farm where you’ll learn about the traditional eiderdown collection and cleaning process as well as their prolific bird colonies. Walk over the boardwalks amongst their puffin colony, a shared project between Lindblad Expeditions and the island owners to develop a safer environment for the puffins along with a better infrastructure for local scientists to study the birds. As the ship transits back through the fjord, make your way out to the railings to spot some of the whales that call this region home. The next day explore yet another stunning, remote fjord with expedition activities, including hiking along fjord trails to a dramatic waterfall cascading down from the high plateaus above.

Accommodations

National Geographic Explorer

Meals

breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 8

Disembark Reykjavík, Iceland

Disembark in Reykjavík and transfer to the airport for flights home.

Accommodations

n/a

Meals

breakfast

Details

Inclusions, Terms & Notes

Included

Expedition parka to keep; accommodations; meals as indicated; beer, wine & full bar; excursions; excursions; services of expedition leader, naturalist staff and expert guides; use of kayaks; entrance fees; all port charges and service taxes; basic WiFi (enhanced and premium packages available for purchase). Gratuities for all departures of National Geographic Explorer, Orion, Endurance, Resolution, Sea Cloud, Jahan and Lord of the Glens.

Exclusions

Immigration fees; air transportation; extensions; meals not indicated; reserve wines & premium spirits; gratuities for all departures of Delfin II, Endeavour II, Islander II, Venture, Quest, Sea Bird and Sea Lion; personal items such as emails, laundry, voyage DVD, etc.; and insurance of any kind.

Payment & Cancellation

In order to confirm this trip, a deposit of 15% of the total trip cost is required per person at time of booking. The balance of the trip price is due 120 days before the departure date. Special payment terms apply for groups of 8 or more; inquire for details. Guests who must cancel their trip for any reason must do so in writing. Standard cancellations are subject to the following per-person fees, based on number of days prior to departure:
120 or more days – 100% of deposit**
119 to 90 days – 50% of total trip cost
89 to 0 days – 100% of total trip cost
**Advance payments will be credited in the form of a Lindblad Expeditions Travel Certificate, valid for 12 months from the date of cancellation, and which may only be applied towards final payment on any future booking.

Terms & Conditions

This trip is subject to AdventureSmith Explorations Terms and Conditions. Please read this information carefully and call us if you have any questions. A Traveler Information Form, which includes a release of liability, must be completed and signed by all travelers. Your Adventure Specialist will send you a unique link to complete this form along with a packing list and extensive pre-departure and travel insurance information upon booking confirmation.

Arrival & Departure

The Arctic Edges: Iceland Westfjords to East Greenland begins and ends in Reykjavik (KEF). Plan flights to arrive to Reykjavik by 10:00am on Day 1 (or in time for a 12:00pm group lunch and pre-embarkation city tour). We highly recommend arriving one day prior to your trip start date in case of any flight delay, cancellation or lost luggage issues. Disembarkation is at 8:00am on the final day; plan flights to depart Reykjavik no earlier than 10:30am. If you would like assistance with international flights, please visit our Booking Flights resource page.

Activities

Whether you are looking for light activity options or more challenging outdoor pursuits, the ship’s crew can tailor most excursions to suit your skill level. Adventure activities may include walking, hiking, kayaking, inflatable boat/skiff excursions, photography, wildlife observation and morning yoga and stretching. Optional excursions may include visiting a turf farm or botanical garden, floating a glacier-fed river, biking, a cultural town walk and more.

Room Configuration

In addition to listed Solo cabin rates, select double-occupancy cabins may be available for single occupancy with a single supplement fee. If you would like to share accommodations with another guest of the same gender, we will be happy to try to accommodate you in select cabin categories. This program allows you to pay the per person double-occupancy rate whether or not a roommate is found. Contact AdventureSmith for further details and availability.

Families & Children

Children under the age of 18 are eligible for $500 off the double occupancy rate. Skilled staff members trained with National Geographic Education organize activities that inspire curiosity in young people of all ages. Programming for kids may include activities like photo workshops, journaling, scavenger hunts, Zodiac-driving lessons, hands-on nature and science programming and kid-friendly menu options.

Travel Insurance

Protect your travel investment with insurance. Our partners at Travelex Insurance offer a variety of plans and policies to fit every trip and budget. For best value and coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, consider purchasing a policy at time of booking. Learn more about travel insurance or get a free quote.

Itinerary Notes

Use the itinerary as a guide only. Itineraries may be altered due to weather, wildlife, national park regulation or at the captain’s discretion. The ability to be flexible makes this type of small ship cruising unique.

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